The opening night of Ireland’s first Test series in New Zealand since 2012 takes them to Eden Park, as Andy Farrell’s men aim to make history against a vengeful All Blacks team.
2022 SUMMER TOUR FIRST TEST: Saturday, July 2
NEW ZEALAND v IRELAND, Eden Park, Auckland, 7.05pm local time/8.05am Irish time (live Sky Sports Action/Main Event/RTÉ 2fm/IRFU Live Blog)
Team News: Head coach Andy Farrell has announced the Ireland team that will take to the field at Eden Park in Auckland in the first match of the three-Test Series against New Zealand.
Jonathan Sexton will captain the side, which includes ten of the starters from last November’s 29-20 home victory over the All Blacks, and is partnered at half-back by Jamison Gibson-Park.
Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw combine again in midfield for the 2022 Triple Crown winners, while Keith Earls backs up from the Māori All Blacks match to start in the back-three.
With Mack Hansen sidelined due to Covid-19, the Limerick man has won the battle for the right wing berth, with James Lowe on the left and Hugo Keenan stationed at full-back.
Up front, loosehead prop Andrew Porter returns to international action after missing the final two Guinness Six Nations fixtures through injury.
Dan Sheehan, who lines out against New Zealand for the first time, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan complete the tight five. Beirne steps in for Iain Henderson whose summer tour was ended by a knee injury.
Munster skipper Peter O’Mahony brings plenty of experience to the blindside flanker berth, linking up in the loose forwards with Leinster pair Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.
Bundee Aki, who captained Ireland in Wednesday’s uncapped game, is one of three Connacht players on the replacements bench. Rewarded for his solid form, Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell could win his sixth cap.
Listed as one of the reserve props, Cian Healy was nursing an ankle injury from the defeat to the Māori All Blacks but came through the Captain’s Run unscathed.
“We’re under no illusions what we’re up against at the weekend,” admitted Farrell. “Like I’ve said to you before, any type of performance that we’d have before where we’ve managed to get over the line that won’t do this weekend. I’m sure about that.
“What really wins top level rugby is always going to be the same. Your set piece, our discipline was pretty poor last night – there’s been good chat in and around that – and obviously the accuracy of our game in general.
“So all that needs to come to fruition under extreme pressure. It’s difficult to do, but we’re in a good enough headspace to be able to attack that full on come the kick-off on Saturday night.”
The much-anticipated opening Test in Auckland will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action/Main Event and RTÉ 2fm. You can follow all the action on our IRFU Live Blog and social channels.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand selection shows seven changes to the side that lost in Dublin late last year, with Covid-19 and injuries impacting their preparations for the series.
Promising youngster Leicester Fainga’anuku makes his debut on the right wing, fellow Crusader Sevu Reece switches to the right and the experienced Aaron Smith gets the nod at scrum half.
Scott Barrett slots in at blindside flanker, joining forces with captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row, while injured props Joe Moody (ruptured ACL) and Nepo Laulala (neck) make way for George Bower and Ofa Tu’ungafasi respectively.
After getting called up as cover due to Covid affecting players, Crusaders’ Braydon Ennor comes into the matchday 23, and Chiefs loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula is standing by to win his first cap off the bench.
Named to play his 133rd Test, Sam Whitelock surpasses Keven Mealamu as the second most-capped New Zealand Test player of all-time (behind former captain Richie McCaw).
Head coach Ian Foster commented: “This is doubly exciting for us playing at a packed Eden Park for our first Test of the year, leading into a sold-out series.
“After what seems like a long time away from home, it couldn’t be scripted better to be back in front of our fans for this match. Whilst this week hasn’t exactly gone to plan for us, our overall preparation has gone really well.
“We have huge respect for this Irish team and can’t wait to run out onto a packed Eden Park on Saturday to kick off the 2022 series.”
NEW ZEALAND: Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes); Sevu Reece (Tasman/Crusaders), Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato/Chiefs), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman/Crusaders); Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Blues), Aaron Smith (Manawatu/Highlanders); George Bower (Otago/Crusaders), Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Northland/Blues), Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay/Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury/Crusaders), Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) (capt), Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes).
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato/Chiefs), Karl Tu’inukuafe (North Harbour/Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Auckland/Chiefs), Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki/Chiefs), Dalton Papali’i (Counties Manukau/Blues), Finlay Christie (Tasman/Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury/Crusaders), Braydon Ennor (Canterbury/Crusaders).
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster); James Lowe (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).
Replacements: Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht), Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Kieran Treadwell (Ballymena/Ulster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht).
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Pre-Match Quotes: Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) –
You don’t come together, turn up on a Monday and suddenly beat the All Blacks at the weekend. It takes a couple of years.
“The first time in 2013, we nearly beat them but those habits weren’t formed of high standards in training day in, day out. To catch up with New Zealand, that’s what you need to do.
“You need that throughout your whole organisation and the IRFU has done that brilliantly over the last while and that’s why we’ve done it (beat them three times).
“We’re very proud of those results (three wins out of the last five meetings). The guys that have been a part of that are very proud to do that.
“But you don’t want to let that go. You want them to respect us even more now. We often said that the only way to get them to fully respect you is to beat them.
“The plucky losers’ tag is not enough to earn their respect. You’ve got to beat them. To do it down here would be very, very special, especially in Eden Park.”
Sam Cane (New Zealand) –
I think we’ve put a bit of heat on our forward pack to step up to set piece and collisions. It’s no secret Test rugby is about dominating collisions and winning small inches and moments like that.
“So focus on that, playing smart footy and having a strong defence, a defence that can create pressure and create turnovers and opportunities for our guys out wide.
“I suppose you could say almost every series or every game or campaign has real importance, but I think there’s certainly that stone in your shoe or rock under the beach towel sort of feeling because of how we finished last year.
“It was certainly a challenging year on many fronts, but we’ve been really looking forward to this campaign and it’s finally here.”
Pre-Match Links –
Sheehan And Sexton Set The Tone For Auckland Showdown
In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run At Eden Park
‘Eden Park Is One Of The Great Grounds’ – Van Der Flier
Doris: There’s Massive Belief Building, It’s An Exciting Place To Be
Farrell ‘Optimistic’ About Healy’s Chances
Hugo Keenan On Training Against Counties Manukau
Recent Meetings –
2018: GUINNESS Series: Ireland 16 New Zealand 9, Aviva Stadium
2019: Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final: New Zealand 46 Ireland 14, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
2021: Autumn Nations Series: Ireland 29 New Zealand 20, Aviva Stadium
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